Partnership to deliver indoor automated vertical farm
Total Construction has partnered with Stacked Farm and Melbourne Airport to deliver a fully automated indoor vertical farm
Spanning 10,000 square metres, the project is set to become an indoor vertical farm, producing 3.4 million kilograms of fresh herbs and leafy greens annually.
The project commenced in January 2025 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2026. Total Construction has been involved in the project from its inception, collaborating under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model. This approach has enabled proactive risk management and efficient project delivery.
Innovations and Sustainable Design
The fully automated vertical farm will require zero human intervention from seed to bag. Twenty-five proprietary robotic systems manage key processes such as seeding, germination and harvesting. This ensures precise, efficient farming, and reduces reliance on manual labour.
The climate-controlled environment allows for the continuous production of crops year-round, offering a reliable solution to meet the increasing demand for locally grown fresh produce. The facility also benefits from faster crop cycles than traditional farming, with crops ready to harvest in just 16-31 days compared to the traditional 45-80 days.
Sustainability is central to the facility’s design. The facility will utilise energy-efficient systems, installing 47 per cent more energy-efficient lighting systems than traditional farming. The design also integrates a zero waste water system, allowing the facility to recycle and reuse water throughout the farming process to reduce water consumption and waste.
Build Progress and Key Milestones
Construction of the main facility is progressing ahead of schedule, with the fit-out stage set to start soon. Under a Construction Management arrangement, Total Construction will be responsible for managing contractor interfaces, building permits and the equipment installation phase, and overseeing the workplace health and safety, quality and contract administration.
The project is making exceptional progress, with the roof installation, main building slabs and mains cabling now completed. Installation of the insulated outer panel walls is now 75 per cent complete.
The team is preparing for Stacked Farm’s racking system to start to be installed mid 2026 as the base build nears completion. Practical completion of the main building is expected shortly thereafter.
Once complete, the facility will offer a sustainable, reliable local supply of produce and serve as a model for future vertical farming projects worldwide.
Source: Food & Beverage Industry News
https://www.foodmag.com.au/partnership-to-deliver-indoor-automated-vertical-farm/
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At TOTAL, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where asking for help is not just accepted but actively encouraged and seen as the norm.
We proudly present the successful delivery of the Woolworths Metro Mosman project. Doors opened for trade, unveiling the stunning preservation of the historical features, revitalising the six heritage listed shops.
It was all celebrations last Friday night, as TOTAL Queensland came away with the prestigious Master Builders Queensland Award in the category of Commercial/Industrial Building ($15-30m Brisbane) for our impressive StoreLocal Berrinba Self Storage project.
This past Sunday, TOTAL team members, along with their family and friends, came together at community locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to participate in Australia’s largest tree planting and nature care event: Planet Ark’s National Tree Day.